all I can do is offer you my condolences , for yer misplaced love M kiddin'
actually , Rip,Michelle,guys....all good points(well some of that drivle anyway,hehehehe).
Its not so much Clapton and his chosen style(or lack there of) its more the way in which he has chosen to go about this latest album . Using a dead persons name for the promotion of anything , is akin to stealing if you ask me . Michelle seems to feel that Robert would be proud to have Clapton playing his music . We'll have to agree to disagree on that one EM . Roberts dead, so his feelings cant be heard . Its my opinion that Mr.Johnson probably would feel the way alot of those ol' bluesmen felt , that Clapton is "Just another white boy trying to rip off our music". Now this kind of statement is what led the Oricle to call me racist . It's not so much that I'm racist( which I am , self admitedly so, in certain situations ) its just fact . You have to consider the era in which these ol' bluesmen were born an' raised in . They were forced to sit at the back of the bus,to use different drinking fountains etc etc etc....the list is long . This is where I find it difficult for a guy growing up in England a few decades later ,to be able to fully understand the plight of a blackman growing up in the southern states 20 or 30 years prior .
Sticking Mr.Johnson's name on a record without his permission....some might call that a priviledge , some may say he has been honoured....I think thats crap . I know you were half joking EM when you said "Its not like the Backstreet Boys are playin' Roberts music". But would that really make it any different? Some people like the B....boys , some people dont.My point is , I'd prefer not to have anyone ATTEMPT to liken themselves to any of the late great ones.
As far as other bands go , and even the so-called modern day bluesmen(Clapton,Sleezy Ray Von) I have zero problem with them playing what now falls under the giant umbrella of what is now refered to as the blues , or R & B,or country-blues,jazz-blues,etc. Some sort of theft has to take place in order for things to progress in a natural order. Give a listen to Led Zepplin , The Beatles , The Rolling Stones , or even Judas Priest . Whats their music based on ? What genre? I'd have to say The Blues . If music wasn't stolen/borrowed from other bands,countries,and races...we wouldn't have much to choose from .
My point , let Clapton come up with his own words.
I guess you had to hear the interview to fully understand where I'm coming from .
If someone has found the old vinyl recordings of some long dead great bluesman , some old rock n roller , or a guy who could really wale on the pipes.....bring it on . Get the radio stations to run out an' buy a turntable (remember those), and crank up that that old 10 inch . I wanna hear it . I wanna hear it in all its glory . Scratch,scratch,hiss,hiss....
Robert Johnson could be rollin' over in is grave right now...
I say....just let the man be.
You wanna honour someone Clapton ? Fine . Maybe next time you could try it without stealin' from a dead man .
hav a good 1......RSD.
